2011.04.13 Anthony Sacco: Celebrating volunteeers

Written by David Green.

“Volunteers are the lifeblood of our schools and shelters, hospitals and hotlines, and faith-based and community groups,” President Obama said in his recent presidential proclamation to kick off National Volunteer Week 2011.

“From mentoring at-risk youth and caring for older Americans to supporting our veterans and military families and rebuilding after disasters, these everyday heroes make a real and lasting impact on the lives of millions of women and men across the globe.”

National Volunteer Week is about recognizing people who seek out imaginative ways to engage in their communities. It’s about demonstrating that by working together we have the fortitude to meet our challenges and accomplish goals. Established in 1974, this week of national service brings together people from all walks of life to celebrate their endeavors and make a difference each year.

Lenawee County volunteers are no exception. They continually impress me with the amount of time they spend addressing our communities’ needs. Thank you for providing shelter to survivors of domestic violence, driving veterans to medical appointments, delivering books to children under the age of five, assisting teachers in classrooms, cleaning parks, translating marketing materials, coaching youth sports, cooking community meals, and building the capacity of Lenawee County organizations.

National Volunteer Week is not only our moment in time to celebrate volunteers, but to enable our community to share ideas, practices and stories, and to shape a movement of service for the 21st century.

If your organization is in need of volunteers or you’ve been looking for the right opportunity for which to volunteer, it couldn’t be a better time to act. Get involved!